USAA Life Insurance Review 2026

USAA is highly ranked for financial stability and its low volume of customer complaints. While their products are designed specifically for active military members, veterans and their families, the company's life insurance policies are available to everyone. However, some policies aren’t available in New York or Montana.

USAA earned 5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.

Based on these ratings, USAA is one of our best life insurance companies in 2026. USAA also made our 2026 lists in these categories:

• Best term life insurance.

• Best whole life insurance.

• Best life insurance for seniors.

• Best life insurance for veterans.

Where USAA stands out

USAA has exceptional financial strength and a low volume of complaints, making it a reliable, longstanding life insurance company. While the company offers specialized coverage for active duty and retired members of the armed forces, policies are also available to non-military personnel.

Where USAA falls short

Most USAA term and whole life policies are available nationwide, though universal life insurance policies are issued by John Hancock and not available in New York. Guaranteed issue life insurance is provided in partnership with Mutual of Omaha and is not available in Montana.

Term life insurance. USAA's level term policy is available for 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years, with coverage ranging from $100,000 to $5 million. Depending on your state, you may have access to additional benefits, including:

• Coverage for active duty and reserve duty military members and their spouses during wartime, which is often excluded from life insurance policies.

• A $25,000 payment if you suffer a severe injury while on active duty.

• Guaranteed coverage after leaving the military.

• The ability to add up to $100,000 in coverage if you have a baby, get married or buy a house between the ages of 18 and 45.

• An option to replace your Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) with a USAA term life policy if you leave the military.

USAA also offers Eagle Express, an instant term life policy that comes with free estate planning tools.

Whole life insurance. USAA sells whole life insurance, with coverage up to $10 million. You can choose to make payments for 20 years, until age 65 or for the full duration of the policy. You can also increase coverage after certain life events — up to a total of six times — with a free Life Event Option rider.

Universal life insurance. USAA sells standard and indexed universal life policies issued by John Hancock, a partner company. The standard policy comes with flexible payment options and a guaranteed minimum interest rate of 1%. The indexed universal life insurance policy ties the cash value growth to a market index, like the S&P 500.

Guaranteed issue life insurance. Policies are available to applicants 45 to 85 (50-75 in New York) in all states except Montana. These policies are issued by Mutual of Omaha, another USAA partner, and don't require a medical exam or health questionnaire to qualify for coverage. Face amounts range from $2,000 to $25,000. Often called final expense life insurance, guaranteed issue policies can help cover burial or funeral costs.

Mutual of Omaha, USAA’s carrier, made our list of the best burial insurance companies for 2026.

» MORE: Compare life insurance quotes

Below are monthly rates for a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy from USAA. These are sample rates for a nonsmoking man and woman in excellent health — the final quote you’re offered will depend on factors like your age, health, lifestyle, occupation and driving record.

A strong sign of consumer satisfaction is how many people complain about their insurance company to state agencies. Over three years, USAA has drawn fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators for a company of its size, according to a NerdWallet analysis of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

• What Reddit users say about USAA

  Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like life insurance, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about insurers. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.

  Opinions on Reddit about USAA life insurance are mixed. Some commenters praise the company’s low premiums, while others find their prices too high. Opinions are similarly divided over USAA’s customer service. A few people say they’ve had good experiences, but others complain that USAA’s treatment of its policyholders has gone downhill in recent years.

How USAA’s customer experience stacks up

USAA’s website offers basic information about the company’s life insurance policies, along with interactive tools that help you figure out which type of policy and how much coverage you need. For those who prefer a human touch, there’s a phone number to reach representatives who can assist you with buying a policy.

We called USAA to ask a few basic questions about its term life policies. After navigating the automated menu, we were quickly connected with a live agent. He answered both our questions without trying to sell us anything or needing to redirect us.

USAA’s chat feature is less useful; it’s a bot that can answer only a predetermined set of questions. The company has a well-rated mobile app for Apple and Android. You can use it to manage your policies and pay premiums.

What it’s like to apply for a policy with USAA

You can start your application by clicking the “get a quote” button on the main life insurance page of USAA’s website. As you make your way through the process, you’ll be asked for basic information such as your gender, height, weight, nicotine use and health history.

Eventually you’ll reach a screen asking how much coverage you need. You can either select your preferred coverage amount and term length or choose “I need help.” If you do that, USAA will ask you several financial questions before recommending a coverage amount and term for you.

Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 23, 2025.

At this point USAA will give you an estimated price. To move forward with your application, you’ll need to log on or create an account.

Screenshot captured by our editorial team on October 23, 2025.

USAA has a survivor relations team that can assist families of deceased USAA members, including help with any survivor benefits.

Other USAA insurance products include:

• USAA auto insurance.

• USAA homeowners insurance.

• USAA small business insurance.

• USAA renters insurance.

• Boat insurance.

• Classic car insurance.

• Condo insurance.

• Flood insurance.

• Mobile home insurance.

• Motorcycle and ATV insurance.

• Pet insurance.

• RV insurance.

• Umbrella insurance.

USAA can be reached by:

• Phone: Call 210-531-8722 or 800-531-8722 on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT.

• Email: No customer service email available.

• Live chat: Not available.